Billings Municipal Court currently has three problem-solving treatment courts. In its 5th year, Billings Adult Misdemeanor Drug Court (BAMDC) is funded by state legislative dollars; Billings Adult Misdemeanor DUI Court (BAMDUI) beginning its second year is funded by the Federal and State Department of Transportation; and Billings Adult Mental Health Court (BAMHC) is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

The issue before the Council is whether to accept or decline the additional grant awards totaling $1,276,311 received by the Municipal Court, in furtherance of the treatment courts mission.

The City Council may:

• Choose to ACCEPT Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Montana Board of Crime Control (JAG), Department of Transportation (DOT), Supreme Court of Montana Office of Court Administrator State Funded Drug Court, and Federal Congressional Earmark monies; or
• Choose to DECLINE said grants.

SAMHSA grant:
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) -  This grant has been awarded to the Billings Adult Misdemeanor Drug Court (BAMDC) for expanding substance abuse treatment capacity in Adult Treatment Drug Courts. The purpose of this grant is to expand and/or enhance substance abuse treatment services to provide treatment and recovery support services including substance abuse treatment, screening, assessment, case management, and program coordination to adult defendants/offenders. City will receive $883,083 over a period of three years ($292,902 year one, $295,319 year two and $294,862 year three).

JAG grant:
Montana Board of Crime Control (Recovery Act, Justice Assistance Grant) – This grant has been awarded to the Billings Adult Misdemeanor Drug Court to continue the existing Jail Based Treatment program operated through the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. This program provides intense chemical dependency treatment to inmates prior to entry into the treatment court.  In addition these monies will pay a consultant to assist the court in administration and evaluation of RANT (Risk and Needs Triage). The city will receive $53,400 for a period of one year.

DUI grant:
Billings Adult Misdemeanor DUI Court – This grant has been awarded for second year funding to the Billings Adult Misdemeanor DUI Court (BAMDUI) to expand its capacity for 50 convicted DUI offenders. City will receive $205,000 for a period of one year. The City’s soft match contribution would include the hours on which team members, (i.e. prosecutor, judge, public defender, law enforcement) spend in Court. One 1.0 FTE coordinator will be employed by the City of Billings, however salary and benefits are paid through the grant and contingent on future funding. The evaluator, treatment professionals, probation officer are secured through contract. The grant also pays for police overtime to serve as law enforcement liaisons conducting home checks on the fifty DUI clients.

Drug Court State Funds:
Billings Adult Misdemeanor Drug Court - This grant has been awarded to the Billings Adult Misdemeanor Drug Court (BAMDC) to continue providing treatment services to participants with chemical dependency addictions. City will receive $82,828 from the Supreme Court Office of the Court Administrator for a period of one year. The City’s soft match contribution would include the hours on which team members, (i.e. prosecutor, judge, public defender, law enforcement) spend in Court. Twenty percent of the Municipal Court Judge's time is spent presiding over the treatment courts. One 1.0 FTE coordinator will be employed by the City of Billings, however, salary and benefits are paid for through the grant and contingent on future funding. The evaluator, treatment professionals, and probation officer are secured through contract.

Federal Congressional Earmark:
The city will receive $52,000 in a Federal Congressional Earmark allocated to the Billings Adult Misdemeanor Drug Court (BAMDC) for a period of one year. These monies will be allocated for treatment services, drug testing, probation and program evaluation.

Copies of the grants are filed in the City Clerk's office for review if needed.

Staff recommends that Council approve the request to allow Mayor Tussing to accept the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant, Montana Board of Crime Control (JAG) grant, Montana Department of Transportation grant, State awarded funding for Drug Courts, and Federal Congressional Earmark monies in the amounts listed on behalf of the Billings Municipal Court for the establishment of better programs and specific treatments in specialized courts.